Portable refrigerator



July 20, 1937. w. F. OHME ET AL 2,087,413

PORTABLE REFR IGERATOR Filed May 22, 1935 r '5 19 .46 0 10 Fl 4 3M I 12 wclu'ef F. Ohme and Emil E. .Fctrmes Patented July 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PORTABLE REFRIGERATOR Walter F. Ohme and Emil E. Farmes, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application May a, 1933, Serial No. 672,188

4 Claims.

Our invention relates to refrigerators and particuiarly to portable refrigerators.

' An object of the invention resides in providing a portable refrigerator which is extremely inexpensive in construction and light in weight.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a portable refrigerator which is neat and attractive in appearance and which is sturdy and substantial in construction.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the refrigerator with a box-like skeleton frame including angle corner members at the corners and in employing sheets of insulating r material held in place against said corner members and exposed upon the exterior through the space between the corner members.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the upper edges of the walls of the boxlike frame with flanges bent inwardly therefrom and overlying the upper edges of said sheets of insulating material for holding said sheets from endwise movement.

A feature of the invention resides in employing a container fitting closely within the sheets of insulating material and serving to hold the sheets against the walls of the frame and in engagement with said flanges.

Another object of the invention resides in providing the container with flanges overlying the ends of the sheets of insulating material, said last named flanges extending toward and being spaced from the first named flanges to form a heat transmission seal between the interior and exterior of the refrigerator.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the outer box-like structure of the refrigerator from sheet metal and in further constructing the bottom with flanges extending upwardly therefrom and joined at the corners.

A still further object of the invention resides in attaching the angle corner members to the flanges of the bottom at the corners so as to stiffen and reinforce the outer structure at the corners.

Another object of the invention resides in connecting the upper ends of the corner members with a band and in constructing the said band with the flange for engagement with the upper end of the insulating sheets.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the refrigerator with a cover overlying the upper ends of the walls of the body thereof and having a lip depending therefrom and encircling the box-like structure and in further constructing said cover with an insulating sheetattached to the cover and extending downwardly into the container.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the refrigerator with a U-shaped handle having two legs and a connecting portion, said legs being provided with inwardly facing trunnions pivoted to the box-like structure of the refrigerator, said handle being adapted to swing over the cover of the refrigerator when in raised position. An object of the invention resides in providing a strut on the upper part of the cover adapted to extend upwardly toward the connecting part of the handle and in further providing the strut with latching means for engagement with the handle to hold the handle in proper position.

A feature of the invention resides in constructing the handle of somewhat resilient material and in further constructing the connecting portion as a bar adapted to yield upon the application of pressure thereto.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the strut with a groove and with two cam members having cam surfaces. spiralling with respect to the axis of said trunnions for leading the connecting portion of the handle into said groove.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a portable refrigerator illustrating an embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view 'taken through the cover and the upper part of one of the walls of the body of the refrigerator.

In the construction of portable refrigerators, it is a highly desirable requisite that the refrigerator be strong and sturdy in construction and still be light in weight and attractive in appearance. The present invention provides a device which fully meets all of these requirements.

The invention comprises an outer box-like structure or frame which we have indicated in its entirety at A and an innercontainer B spaced and insulated therefrom. Both the outer boxlike structure and the container are open at the top to give access to the interior of the refrigerator and are adapted to be closed through a cover C. These parts will now be described in detail.

The outer box-like structure A is in the nature of a skeleton frame and is constructed entirely from sheet metal. This frame includes a bottom III which is formed with flanges H, l2, l3 and I4 bent upwardly from the edges thereof and joined at the corners. At the corners of the boxlike structure are provided angle corner members l3, l3, l1 and I3 which are constructed with legs I! and- 23 extending angularly outwardly from one another at right angles. These angle corner members overlie the outer surfaces of the flanges I I, l2, l3 and i4 and are attached thereto as by riveting or spot welding.. At the upper ends of the comer members is provided a band 2| which may be constructed of a single strip of material bent to form parts 23, 21, 23 and 23 which conform to the dimensions of the frame and are fitted within-the reentrant angles of the comer members i3, i3, i1 and II. This band is joined at one of the comers and is welded to all of said corner membersin the same mannerasthe flanges of the bottom of the box-like structure. If desired, the band 2| may be made in several pieces and the joints between the pieces arranged in the corners the same as the Joint between the ends of the structure shown.

Within the interior of the refrigerator are .placed a number of sheets of insulating material designated at 22, 23, 24 and 23. These sheets fit up against the flanges i3 and 23 of the various corner members of the box-like structure as well as against the flanges l2, l3 and I4 and the parts 23, 21, 23 and 23 of band 2|. For the purpose of holding the'said sheets of insulating material from movement within the interior of the box-like structure, the upper edges of the parts '23-, 21, 23 and 29 of the band 2| are formed with inwardly extending flanges 33 best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. These flanges overlie the upper edges of the sheets of insulating material 22, 23, 24 and 23 which are snugly received between the same and the bottom proper III of the outer ,structure of the refrigerator.

The sheets of insulating material 22, 23, 24 and 23 are held against the various parts of the box-like structure through the action of the container B which is inserted endwise through the open end of the refrigerator. This container is preferably constructed of sheet metal, being provided with side walls 3| and 32 and end walls 33 and 34. The said side and end walls have attached to them at their lower ends a bottom 33 which is secured to said walls through a seamed joint 33. These walls all flt snugly against the inner surfaces of the sheets of insulating material 22, 23, 24 and '23 and hold the same in contact with the outer walls of the boxlike structure. Between the bottom 33 of the container B and the bottom III of the box-like Y structure A is disposed another sheet of material 31 which is of a thickness such as to hold the seams 33 away from the bottom l3- and to provide insulation between the interior of the conextending perimetrically about the entire upper edge of the refrigerator. By means of this construction a heat transmission seal is formed between the interior of the refrigerator, thereby preventing rapid transmission of heat through the wall structure of the refrigerator by conduction directly through the metal parts.

The open end of the refrigerator is closed through cover C which is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. metal in much the same manner as the bottom This cover is constructed from sheet l3 and comprises a top 33 which has bent downwardly from the edges thereof lips 43 adapted to overlie the outer surfaces of the band 2|. Upon the interior of thecover C is provided a sheet of insulating material 4| which is of such dimensions as to flt within the interior of the container 3. This sheet of insulating material is covered by a liner 42 which has 'flanges 43 bent upwardly therefrom and extending toward the top 33. These flanges fall short of the said top to provide another heat transmission seal by means of which transmission of heat from the cover to the member 42 is prevented. The liner 42 and insulating sheet 4| are attached to the cover C in a manner to be presently described in detail. As will be noted in Figs. 2 and 3 the flanges 43 are spaced from the lips 43to leave a channel 44 extending perimetrically about the cover. The upper edge of the wall structure of the refrigerator is received within this channel. A strip of felt 43 or similar cushioning and heat insulating material is disposed within this channel which is adapted to engage the upper edge of the wall structure of the refrigerator and to contact with the flanges 33 and 33. This strip forms a seal for the refrigerator by means of which the transmission of heat to the interior of the refrigerator by convection is entirely prevented.

For the purpose of handling the refrigerator, a handle is employed which is indicated in its entirety at D. This handle is constructed of heavy wire or rod which is bent U-shaped in form to provide 'two legs 43 and 41 and a connecting portion 43. The connecting portion 43 is preferably in the form of a straight bar or rod extending completely across the refrigerator and parallel with the top 33 of cover C. The lower ends of the legs 43 and 41 are provided with trunnions 43 and 33 which extend toward one another and lie in axial alignment. These trunnions are journaled in plates3| and 32 which are attached to the parts 21 and 23 of the band 2| through welding, riveting or otherwise. Thelegs 43 and 41 are spaced apart a distance such that the same straddle the cover C. By means of the plates 3| and 32 the weight of the refrigerator may be transferred to the handle 43 through the frame structure without unduly stressing any of the parts of the refrigerator. The handle D may be arranged in the position shown in Fig. 1 in which the refrigerator may be readily handled and manipulated or the same may be swung downwardly toward one side of the refrigerator in which position the cover C may be removed from the refrigerator'and access to the interior thereof procured.

For the purpose of securing the cover C in position upon the open end of the refrigerator, the handle D is utilized. Operating in conjunction therewith is a strut 33 which is preferably constructed of bar metal which is bent in the shape shown. This strut is formed with two legs 34 and 33 having ears 33 and 31 extending out-. wardly from the lower ends thereof. Rivets 33v and 33 extend through the ears 33 and 31, the top 39, and also through the insulating sheet 4| and the liner 42. Sleeves 33 disposed between the top 33 and liner 42, through which the rivets extend hold the said parts in proper spaced relation. These rivets serve the dual purpose of holding the strut 33 attached to the cover A as well as holding the insulating sheet 4| and the liner therefor attached to the interior of the cover. The two legs 34 and 33 are provided with a connecting portion 60. This portion is constructed at the center with a groove BI and adjacent the said groove with two parts 62 and 63 formed with cam surfaces spiralling with respect to the axis of the two trunnions 49 and 50. The handle D is preferably constructed of a somewhat resilient material and the two cam surfaces of parts 62 and 63 serve to spring the bar 48 of the said handle out of alignment and to direct the same into the groove 6!. When the said handle becomes so disposed as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the cover C is forced down against the upper part of the body of the refrigerator and held in proper position. When so disposed the parts are firmly latched and the refrigerator may be easily connected about.

The use of our invention is as follows: When the refrigerator is desired for use the bar 48 of handle D is forced over either of the two parts 62 and 63 of the strut 53, which permit the handle being swung downwardly to a position overlying the cover C. Cover C may then be raised and withdrawn from the refrigerator proper. The commodities to be cooled are then placed within the refrigerator which has a suitable refrigerating substance such as ice or solidified carbon dioxide may also be introduced. The cover is then again applied and the bar 48 of the handle forced over the particular parts 62 or 63 of the strut 53 and brought back again into groove 6|. The refrigerator is then closed and may be carried about as desired. Due to the height of the strut the handle proper is well above the cover C, and is hence conveniently accessible.

Our invention is highly advantageous in that an extremely simple and practical device is provided whereby articles may be cooled and conveniently carried about. By constructing the refrigerator with a skeleton frame considerable saving in weight is procured, so that the refrigerator is extremely light and can be easily handled. With our invention the insulating material gives a panel effect to the refrigerator and when properly painted or enameled gives the refrigerator an extremely pleasing and. attractive appearance. By means of the heat transmission seal employed, transmission of heat from the exterior to the interior of the refrigerator through conduction by metal is almost entirely prevented. The latching device is extremely simple to operate and the cover can be quickly taken off and reapplied as desired. When the cover is removed the entire upper end of the container within the refrigerator is open and accessible permitting the articles to be cooled to be easily and quickly removed from or placed in the refrigerator. With our invention an extremely sturdy and rigid construction is formed. By means of the particular construction employed, no fastening means are required for holding the sheets of insulating material in position which are merely held in place through the close fitting of the inner container within the refrigerator in the interior thereof. The handle extending completely across the cover, affords a convenient device by means of which the refrigerator may be carried by either one or two persons.

Changes in the specific form of our invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a refrigerator, a box-like structure having walls and a bottom and open at the top, flanges formed along the upper ends of the walls and extending inwardly into the refrigerator,

sheets of insulating material disposed upon the interior of the box-like structure and against the walls thereof, the upper edges of said sheets extending up to said flanges and being held from endwise movement thereby, a container having walls and a bottom, and open at the top, said container fitting within said sheets and holding the same in position within said box-like structure and against said flanges, and flanges formed on the upper edges of the walls of said container and extending outwardly and engaging the upper ends of said insulating sheets, said second named flanges falling short of the first named flanges to form a heat transmission seal between the interior and exterior of the refrigerator.

2. In arefrigerator, an outer box-like structure having walls and a bottom and open at the top, a container within said box-like structure having walls, a bottom and open at the top, insulating sheets disposed between said walls and facing flanges formed on the upper ends of the walls of both the box-like structure and container and engaging the upper edges of the insulating sheets, said flanges being spaced from one another throughout their extent.

3. In a refrigerator, an outer box like structure comprising a bottom, flanges extending upwardly from said bottom, angle corner members attached to said flanges and projecting upwardly therefrom, a band connected to said corner members at their upper ends, insulating sheets disposed in back of said flanges, corner members and. band and exposed therebetween, and a container within said insulating sheets and free from said box like structure for holding said insulating sheets against said flanges, corner members and band.

4. In a refrigerator, an outer box-like structure open at the top and providing an upper marginal portion, a container within said box-like structure spaced therefrom throughout its entire extent and providing an upper marginal portion spaced from the upper'marginal portion of said box-like structure, a cover for said refrigerator, said cover comprising a top extending across the open end of the refrigerator and across the marginal portions of the box-like structure, a sheet of insulating material secured to said top inwardly of the edges thereof to leave a free marginal portion, said sheet of insulating material extending into said container, a liner covering said sheet of insulating material, and flanges formed on said liner and lying adjacent the edges of said sheet of insulating material, said flanges falling short of said top to form a heat insulating seal between the liner and top at the marginal portion thereof, said liner engaging said container to form a relatively tight joint therebetween and said free marginal portion of the top overlying the upper marginal portion of the box-like structure, and an insulating member disposed between the marginal portion of said top and the marginal portion of said box-like structure.

WALTER F. OHME. EMIL E. FARMES. 

